Journal of Structural and Construction Engineering

Journal of Structural and Construction Engineering

Experimental Investigating the Effect of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag and Cracking Catalyst Residue on the Strength and Consolidation Parameters of Soft Clay Soil

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hassan Sharafi
Ali Kolahi
Reza Fathi
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
10.22065/jsce.2025.474562.3501
Abstract
The use of industrial wastes and by-products in soil stabilization to reduce costs and environmental pollution has gained significant attention in recent years. Ground granulated blast furnace slag and cracking catalyst residue are industrial waste materials that can be a valuable alternative to conventional traditional materials due to their suitable chemical, mineralogical, and physical properties. In this study, to investigate the effect of ground granulated blast furnace slag and cracking catalyst residue on the strength and consolidation parameters of soft clay soil, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% ground granulated blast furnace slag by total dry weight of soil along with 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% cracking catalyst residue by total dry weight of soil have been used. This resulted in 20 different mixing designs, which were evaluated in three curing periods of 7, 28, and 90 days by performing direct shear, California bearing ratio, and one-dimensional consolidation tests. The results showed that the effect of Ground granulated blast furnace slag and cracking catalyst residue increases cohesion, internal friction angle, and bearing ratio and decreases compaction index, and swelling of the stabilized soil. Also, the optimal mixing design comprised 20% cracking catalyst residue and 3% Ground granulated blast furnace slag, which exhibited the greatest improvement in soil strength and consolidation parameters. Additionally, by performing microstructural and chemical analyses on samples, it was determined that the presence of additives reduces porosity and increases pozzolanic reactions.
Keywords
Soil stabilization
soft clay
iron-smelting furnace slag
cracking waste catalyst
California load ratio

Subjects

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Journal of Structural and Construction Engineering
Volume 12, Issue 10 - Serial Number 99
January 2026
Pages 133-153

  • Receive Date 23 November 2024
  • Revise Date 17 January 2025
  • Accept Date 06 April 2025